MV Barima Tragedy: President Ali says gov’t will continue recovery, support efforts

President Irfaan Ali has pledged that the government will continue recovery operations and provide support to survivors as well as the families affected by the MV Barima tragedy, as the nation mourns following the devastating incident.

During a live broadcast on his Facebook page on Thursday, President Ali described the victims as ordinary people working to provide for their families, while expressing sorrow over the scale of the tragedy and the impact it has had across Guyana.

President Ali remains in Charity, witnessing the recovery efforts firsthand and shared the emotional toll of seeing the bodies being brought ashore.

“It is not an easy day under my presidency. It is a very difficult time,” he said.

He assured families that the government would continue to stand with them and ensure necessary assistance is provided.

“I want every family member to know that we will continue to pray for you, hold you close to our hearts and as your president I assure you that I will continue to ensure everything that is necessary is done,” President Ali said.

He also highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of the tragedy on survivors and those affected, noting that support services would continue.

“Tonight I speak not only for this location where every body recovered was brought but I speak for every survivor, the pain, the trauma, the emotional distress. We pray that you are strengthened and the Ministry of Health is here to continue to offer that support for you,” he said.

He urged those affected and those involved in the recovery process not to avoid seeking professional mental health support.

President Ali said the recovery effort would continue until authorities have done everything possible.

“The work continues tonight, tomorrow and until we know we have given it our all,” he said.

While acknowledging that questions surrounding the incident would eventually need answers, he said the immediate focus remained on supporting those affected.

“There will come a time for questions, for truth to rise for justice to speak but today is not that day,” President Ali said.

The MV Barima, a passenger and cargo vessel, left Port Georgetown on Saturday afternoon and was heading to Port Kaituma in Region One. Late Saturday night, tragedy struck.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Sunday night said officials initially believed they were searching for 116 passengers and 17 crew members, based on the official manifest. But investigations revealed that only 35 of the 67 initially rescued were listed on the passenger manifest, meaning 32 survivors were never officially recorded as passengers before the vessel left Georgetown. Once this information came to light, the list of passengers was released to the public.

As of Wednesday night,  65 bodies were recovered and families have been able to positively identify 44 of those persons. The number of rescued passengers and crew remains unchanged at 76.

The vessel’s cargo manifest showed it was carrying 268 tonnes of cargo, below its licensed capacity of 284 tonnes. But now that is also under question too.

Additionally, the vessel’s captain and an engineer have been arrested after both tested positive for narcotics. On Wednesday, authorities said the these crew members remain in custody while another person who oversaw the loading of the boat has turned himself into for questioning.

The government has said that an investigation will be launched to determine what really caused the ferry to capsize. President Dr Irfaan Ali has promised a full and thorough investigation into the entire tragedy.